Sabre-sheath trachea
Last revised by Jay Gajera ◈
on 4 Dec 2024
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Gaillard F, Gajera J, Bell D, et al. Sabre-sheath trachea. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 22 Mar 2025) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-2011
rID:
2011
Article created:
Disclosures:
At the time the article was created Frank Gaillard had no recorded disclosures.
View Frank Gaillard's current disclosures
Last revised:
4 Dec 2024,
Jay Gajera ◈
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Jay Gajera had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.
View Jay Gajera's current disclosures
Revisions:
15 times, by
11 contributors -
see full revision history and disclosures
Systems:
Sections:
Synonyms:
- Saber sheath trachea
Sabre-sheath trachea refers to a diffuse coronal narrowing of the intrathoracic portion of the trachea with the concomitant widening of the sagittal diameter. It is not uncommon and is pathognomonic for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) 1.
The sagittal:coronal diameter is over 2:1 2 and the extra-thoracic portion of the trachea is normal (not narrowed). The supporting tracheal cartilage is usually thickened and densely calcified 4.
Radiographic features
A marked decrease in the coronal diameter of the intrathoracic trachea is associated with an increase in its sagittal diameter.
CT
Additional features may include:
inward bowing or displacement of the lateral tracheal walls as a result of cartilage weakness
mild intrathoracic tracheal wall thickening
ossification of tracheal rings
during forceful expiration, there may be further inward bowing
References
- 1. Marom E, Goodman P, McAdams H. Diffuse Abnormalities of the Trachea and Main Bronchi. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2001;176(3):713-7. doi:10.2214/ajr.176.3.1760713 - Pubmed
- 2. Webb E, Elicker B, Webb W. Using CT to Diagnose Nonneoplastic Tracheal Abnormalities: Appearance of the Tracheal Wall. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2000;174(5):1315-21. doi:10.2214/ajr.174.5.1741315 - Pubmed
- 3. Ciccarese F, Poerio A, Stagni S et al. Saber-Sheath Trachea as a Marker of Severe Airflow Obstruction in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Radiol Med. 2014;119(2):90-6. doi:10.1007/s11547-013-0318-3 - Pubmed
- 4. Callan E, Karandy E, Hilsinger R. "Saber-Sheath" Trachea. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 1988;97(5 Pt 1):512-5. doi:10.1177/000348948809700514 - Pubmed
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